Museums, Foundations & Galleries

Piazza Galvani 1
The Anatomical Theatre and Stabat Mater Room
via dell’Archiginnasio 2
https://www.archiginnasio.it/

The beautiful Archiginnasio Palace hosts the Library, the Stabat Mater room which is majestically decorated with various coats of arms of professors and students and the Anatomical Theatre.

The Anatomical Theatre was designed in the 17^th century room for anatomical lessons and it is covered in spruce wood and decorated with two orders of statues depicting twelve famous physicians.  The lectern is flanked by two statues called ‘spellati’.

(Municipal Art Collection)
Piazza Maggiore https://www.museibologna.it/collezionicomunali/

The collection contains works of art from the Middle Ages to the 20th century with particular attention to the relationship between art, architecture and politics. In addition there’s attention to the evolution of clothing, the history of the artistic workshops and tournaments in Bologna.

via Riva di Reno 57
www.fondazionelercaro.it

The art collection was born from the gifts given to Cardinal Giacomo Lercaro and ranges from the late 15^th to contemporary works. The permanent collection includes works by Mimmo Paladino, Giovanni Boldini, Antonio Mancini, Giorgio Morandi, and Adolfo Wildt. They also host special projects and events.

via Paolo Nanni Costa 14
www.fondazionegolinelli.it

Exhibitions and events explore the intersection of science, technology and art. A one-of-a-kind structure equipped with seminar rooms, laboratories, and a collection of contemporary works of art.

via Emilia 275
San Lazzaro di Savena
www.fondazionecirulli.org

The Foundation’s collection promotes, at a national and international level, the knowledge of 20th century Italian art and visual culture, from the early years of the country’s engagement with modernity to the postwar economic boom.

via Speranza 42
www.mast.org

MAST is an international cultural and philanthropic institution that focuses on art, technology and innovation hosting conferences, training programs, screenings for the development of creativity.  It looks like a starship that landed in the middle of the old Santa Viola area.  The building architecture alone is worth the trip.

The gallery shows part of the foundation’s collection of industrial photography, introduced by an interactive exhibition of technology and mechanics related to the world of industry.

www.lamacchinadeltempo.eu

Virtual 3D tour of Bologna at different stages of its history.

Specola Museum of Astronomy
via Zamboni 33
Museo della Specola

The Specola Tower was built to observe the movements of the planets and study astronomy. In this beautiful museum you will see a wealth of instruments that were once used by astronomers, such as wooden telescopes.

(Jewish Museum of Bologna)
via Valdonica 1/5
www.museoebraicobo.it

Contains a research center, library, bookshop, temporary exhibition spaces and permanent collection, which focuses on the theme of Jewish identity and runs through the historical events of the Jewish people for almost 4000 years. Two rooms are dedicated to the history of Jews in Bologna and Emilia Romagna, from the medieval to the contemporary era.

(International Museum and Library of Music)
Palazzo Sanguinetti 34
www.museomusicabologna.it

Open by appointment for groups and schools.

Nine exhibition rooms illustrate six centuries of the history of European music. There are over one hundred paintings of famous people from the music world, antique instruments, and a large selection of valuable historical documents.

(Museum of Communication and Multimedia)
via Col di Lana 7/n
www.museopelagalli.com

Open by appointment for groups and schools.

The museum’s mission is to pass on the knowledge of the scientific and technological inventions of the 19^th and 20^thcenturies including phonography, cinema, television, mechanized musical instruments and Ducati’s patents.

via Irnerio 42

Orto Botanico ed Erbario

The Botanical Garden and Herbarium is one of the oldest in Italy. It was founded in 1568 for study and teaching of medical botany, allowing students to observe and study medicinal plants. Today it occupies an area of about 2 hectares with four greenhouses, two tropical and two of succulent plants. Another small one houses a charming collection of carnivorous plants.

via Saragozza 28
www.palazzoalbergati.com

Palazzo Albergati is a grand palazzo hosting Arthemisia traveling exhibitions and events. Past exhibits have included Monet and the Impressionists, Duchamp, Magritte, Dalí and Kahlo.

via San Felice 24
www.palazzopallavicini.com

The Palazzo is a stunning setting for some of the best international art exhibitions, which so far included works of Vivien Meier, Lee Miller, Botero, and Alphonse Mucha.

The University of Bologna operates a number of interesting museums and collections from paleontology to wax anatomy. Not all are well known but they are definitely worth a visit. For complete list visit the Sistema Museale d’Ateneo – SMA website .